Dear friends,
today the oratory is as big as a city.
Large cities are one of the most pressing frontiers of our mission. There we meet young people full of dreams and possibilities, but also marked by loneliness, anonymity and a search for meaning. It is precisely there, at the heart of everyday life, that God awaits us.
As the Salesian Family, we are called to be a presence that listens, accompanies and builds community. Don Bosco taught us that every young person carries a seed of goodness in their heart, which needs to be welcomed and nurtured in order to blossom.
Evangelising in the city means building bridges where there is distance, fostering encounters where indifference prevails, and offering hope where many have stopped believing in the future. With missionary creativity and a Salesian heart, let us continue to make Christ’s love visible in the new ‘courtyards’ where today’s young people live and dream.
May Mary Help of Christians accompany us on this journey.
▀ Fr Rafael Bejarano SDB
General Councillor for Youth Ministry
During a recent visit to Manaus, capital of the Brazilian Amazon, I met "urban missionaries"—young people and adults who proclaim the Gospel in this metropolis of 2.5 million inhabitants. Some welcomed them with joy; others rejected them. Such is the reality of evangelization in today's great cities. More than half of humanity now lives in urban areas marked by diversity, mobility, technological connectivity, and profound social inequalities. When the General Council met Pope Leo XIV, he encouraged us to keep proclaiming the Gospel courageously in these megapolises, developing an "urban pastoral ministry" able to understand the language, culture, and challenges of city dwellers.
There, many young people experience loneliness and fragmentation. Many are indifferent to faith or simply "dormant." Yet many others are searching for meaning, friendship, belonging, hope, and light. Pope Leo never tires of calling us to become a missionary Church. Evangelizing today's cities requires a Church that goes beyond its buildings and becomes present in families, schools, universities, workplaces, social networks, cultural centres, and above all among those on society's margins. Today, there is no need to cross oceans or deserts to be missionaries: it is enough to step outside our homes, communities, and schools to encounter vulnerable children and young people in need of the Gospel's joy. Evangelization means creating spaces of encounter where young people can experience God's love and mercy. Where many feel anonymous and isolated, our Christian and Salesian communities can become places of belonging and fraternity, opening pathways to faith and holiness.
This challenge calls for creativity, courage, and collaboration. Together—local Church, Salesian Family, laypeople, educators, parents, and the young—we are called to bring the Gospel into the heart of urban life through communion and service. Let us not miss it!
▀ Fr Jorge Crisafulli SDB, General Councillor for the Missions
Dear Peter and Jean, you both live and work in a big city. What is the biggest challenge you face when trying to build genuine relationships with the young people who live there??
PT: It is difficult to reach deeply into their lives because they spend much of their time using technological devices. They live in their own small world, where a constant flow of diverse information attracts them. This gradually distances them from real relationships. As a result, they feel lonely in their life.
JK: The context in which we live and work in southern Brazil presents us with a major challenge: that of reaching out to young people in the midst of a reality characterised by a fast pace of life, inequalities and, at times, profound loneliness. Forging genuine bonds requires a close, simple and joyful presence, one that is capable of listening, engaging in dialogue and offering support, as emphasised in Evangelii Gaudium.
Don Bosco used to meet young people in the streets and squares of his time. What are the new ‘streets and squares’ of today’s cities, and which creative approaches really work in your context?
PT: Those are like in the classes or clubs where they can share (ideas and abilities); playground where they can enjoy; social media where we keep communication. At all times, young people get out of loneliness when they feel trusted, valued and accompanied by Salesians. In my mission, a competitive approach in sports and music activities are effective.
JK: Today’s ‘streets’ are social media, schools, city centres and the fringes of society. In our context, an educational, family-oriented and welcoming presence, inspired by the Magnifica Humanitas, enables us to gain young people’s trust and open their hearts to the Gospel.
What would you say to a young Salesian who is just starting his mission in a big city — perhaps feeling overwhelmed or unsure of himself?
PT: Before you are accepted, first accept them with respect, perseverance, patience, joy, and enthusiasm. Invest in your personal growth and develop your talents, especially by staying updated with modern trends and the realities.
JK: To a young Salesian, I would say: take heart and have faith! Start by being present, approachable and genuine. Here, young people are looking for credible role models. Like Don Bosco, always believe in the power of closeness, kindness and joy.
